Gaming monopoly?!
And no, I’m not talking about the game Monopoly (which sucks as well, but that’s a different story…).
I saw this on G4 a while ago and meant to blog about it, but i always get distracted. So I had to hunt down the story. Sadly, I couldn’t find the video the debate that they had, but I did find this article.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7052420.stm>EA Predicts Death of Consoles
Basically, EA says that they think that consoles will eventually disappear and a single, open gaming platform will emerge.
I say, “HA.”
And that’s the general consensus among gamers. I checked out some of the comments from G4 viewers and all of them were completely against it.
One benefit I see from this is for the developers. It would be beneficial for consumers if they could concentrate all their energies into creating a kickass game instead of worrying about what systems it could be compatable on. Another benefit would be that it’d make choosing a system a lot easier (because I wouldn’t have a choice) and a lot cheaper (cause right now I don’t have the cash to get a Wii and a PSP so that I can play both Bleach: Shattered Blade and Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core when it comes out).
However, a single platform? We live in a society that thrives on the ability to choose. We like variety so saying we only have one platform is like saying, “Well, you can only have McDonalds now because we’re doing away with Wendy’s and Burger King and everything else.” It’s a pile of BS, if you ask me. Each console has its own strengths. If you have a single platform, will they be able to compile that all successfully? Will this single platform still have the ability to allow for the Wii’s motion controls as well as having the multiple buttons of the XBox controller? And what about my portables? What will happen to the PSP and the DS? Or will they monopolize there too?
Let’s face it, certain games are tailored for certain platforms. To try and translate them would be ridiculous and a crime against humanity. Having a single platform would cut the diversity of the industry significantly and it would probably turn off a lot of gamers as a result. We like variety. After all, people do say is the spice of life. And if so, it’s kinda like choosing between the cafeteria’s chicken patties and Burger King’s spicy chick’n crisp sandwich. I’ll let you decide.
